Today Apple announced some nice updates to the iCloud security features. The following features now have end-to-end encryption on iCloud:

• Device Backups
• Messages Backups
• iCloud Drive
• Notes
• Photos
• Reminders
• Safari Bookmarks
• Siri Shortcuts
• Voice Memos
• Wallet Passes

End-to-end encryption means your data can’t be viewed on the server in these categories (if you opt in). Put simply, Apple will no longer be able to see the above categories of data. If Apple gets hacked in the future, the bad guys can’t see your data either.

Apple has very publicly stated an interest in protecting user privacy. I believe them. What is impressive about this is how they’ve added the encryption at Apple’s user-base scale. That can’t be easy.

At this point, it’s opt-in. You must go into the iCloud settings and click on Advance Data Protection. I will be opting in. Advanced Data Protection is in the latest iOS 16.2 beta. It will be available to all U.S. customers by the end of the year and rolling out to the world in early 2023.

One note of caution, however, is that this means if you ever lose passwords, the data is gone. Apple can’t help you. So get your password security sorted out before you push the button.

Craig Federighi did an interview with Joanna Stern on these updates. She did a great job explaining end-to-end encryption in the process.